Good (affordable) London Dermatologist - recommendations?

[Suzysu]

Due to hair loss from Brazilian Blowouts, I now have small patches of baldness and diffuse hair loss overall.

Dermatologists seem to delight in building up their profile and creating branded products they want you to buy. What I am looking for is a normal dermatologist with nothing to sell, who understands alopecia / hair loss.

Would be hugely grateful for any recommendations you may have. I am feeling pretty down about things. It is a month until I can see the derm my GP referred me to - and I am losing hair every day.

[Suzysu]

Every day I lose more hair and none is growing back so time is of the essence.

I've therefore made the decision to see Dr Martin Wade at the London Skin and Hair Clinic. Namely because he specialises in hair loss. And because when I rang up they said:

1. They didn't have own-branded products to prescribe for me - good
2. It was fine for me to take any blood tests they recommended via the NHS

I do wish it was a central London clinic though. I always feel like if it's a big company in central London it probably has loads of overheads they want you to pay for.
But then if I went to a small unheard of dermatologist they might be small because they're not very good, plus they haven't got a rep to lose.

Then again, the positive reviews of this clinic could be fake...

We'll see. If it turns out to be a scam I will at least serve as a deterrent to others so they don't make the same mistake.

[ChloeDharma]

I'm sorry you are going through this. Unfortunately I can't give any feedback on dermatologists but fingers crossed this one works out well for you!

[Gertrude]

I am sorry you're going through this. To be honest , sorry if this sounds blunt, a month to see a dermatologist on the NHS is not long at all, and that way all prescriptions, tests and doctor's visits are covered.
I was a bit puzzled about the Central London thing. Cavendish square is part of the Harley street medical area, and the square backs onto the rear of the flagship John Lewis department store on Oxford Street. It's prime central London.

This won't be a scam, but be very expensive. And you find the best dermatologists in the NHS, so I don't know if Dr Wade is actually a consultant in an NHS hospital. It really is best to see an NHS consultant in their private practice on the side, to be sure to get the most up to date treatment, with a few exceptions.

I am terribly sorry about your traumatic hair loss, but it would be best I think to go the GP referral route. It may be your problem is endocrine, thyroid or whatever, I am no doctor and don't play one on TV. In a hospital you can be easily sent on to endocrinology or other specialities.

Here in my part of East London referrals to dermatologists can take six months or more; I took my baby with her very severe eczema to a private paediatric dermatologist at the private wing of NHS trust, who then treated her privately for the first visit, NHS after. He really saved her skin and our sanity. I got the same advice as above about finding him. Good luck. I feel for you.

[Suzysu]

I am sorry you're going through this. To be honest , sorry if this sounds blunt, a month to see a dermatologist on the NHS is not long at all, and that way all prescriptions, tests and doctor's visits are covered.
I was a bit puzzled about the Central London thing. Cavendish square is part of the Harley street medical area, and the square backs onto the rear of the flagship John Lewis department store on Oxford Street. It's prime central London.

This won't be a scam, but be very expensive. And you find the best dermatologists in the NHS, so I don't know if Dr Wade is actually a consultant in an NHS hospital. It really is best to see an NHS consultant in their private practice on the side, to be sure to get the most up to date treatment, with a few exceptions.

I am terribly sorry about your traumatic hair loss, but it would be best I think to go the GP referral route. It may be your problem is endocrine, thyroid or whatever, I am no doctor and don't play one on TV. In a hospital you can be easily sent on to endocrinology or other specialities.

Here in my part of East London referrals to dermatologists can take six months or more; I took my baby with her very severe eczema to a private paediatric dermatologist at the private wing of NHS trust, who then treated her privately for the first visit, NHS after. He really saved her skin and our sanity. I got the same advice as above about finding him. Good luck. I feel for you.

You've probably not seen my other posts. I went straight to my GP and got tests for thyroid, iron, B vit levels, etc. I am still on the referral waiting list, so it's not like I'm not waiting for a dermatologist with the NHS, but...if you ever have hair loss from a Brazilian you need to know - ASAP - the type it is. There are some types where, if you don't get that immediate treatment, the hair never grows back - you are bald for life.

I think I was extremely sensible to go to a dermatologist today and have my scalp examined. He told me that small hairs are growing back and he didn't believe the hair loss would be permanent. In that knowledge....I can now wait for my referral.

The truth of the matter is, had I waited the month and it has been a different type of alopecia, it would have been a decision I would have regretted for the rest of my life.

Yes, people are dying of illness, but the psychological impact of hair loss - particularly in a female where it isn't as sociably acceptable - was not something I'd risk. Even though it means I won't be able to afford to do anything this month.

I couldn't afford the biopsy (£600) he wanted me to have, but he has recommended treatment to stimulate hair growth - so I am doing something productive while waiting for my NHS. He is also writing to my GP to recommend further tests - which I will have on the NHS. Along with a scalp biopsy if needed.

Dr Wade is on the NHS btw but waiting times for any dermatologist with specialist knowledge of hair loss were around Jan / Feb. Best to get an expert's early diagnosis and then see another dermatologist on the NHS.

I definitely wouldn't do anything differently.

Oh and sorry about the confusing Central London mention - I can't edit once I've posted - it was just a typp. I meant that I don't like Central London offices because I feel patients pay for the overheads!

[meteor]

^ Yay! So happy you got your scalp examined by a dermatologist so soon! :D
Congratulations on the new growth! Finding new short hairs growing in is a great and promising sign! I'd be careful with them (new growth is sometimes pretty fragile) and sleep on silky smooth pillowcases or use satin bonnets.
Best of luck! :D Hope your hair will regrow in full strength! :cheer:

[Suzysu]

^ Yay! So happy you got your scalp examined by a dermatologist so soon! :D
Congratulations on the new growth! Finding new short hairs growing in is a great and promising sign! I'd be careful with them (new growth is sometimes pretty fragile) and sleep on silky smooth pillowcases or use satin bonnets.
Best of luck! :D Hope your hair will regrow in full strength! :cheer:

You are so kind - thank you!

The hair shedding continues - the dr said there was more to come as when he did a hair pull strands came out :-( BUT at least new hair is growing! I really didn't think it was.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel....even if it is far away now!